Cheap Decorating Ideas with a Rich Look

Cheap decorating ideas don't need to look cheesy, the trick is knowing what elements to use for the greatest impact.

Mock inlays and other fabric embellishments are terrific fixes for updating and polishing the look of decor items that might not otherwise seem too attractive. A good example is a plain duvet, bedspread or comforter. Many of us opt for solid-colored bedcovers with a plain finish due to the cost factor. Solid colors with little if any trim keep the manufacturer's costs down, allowing them to share the savings with us.

The good news is you don't have to settle for plain. You can easily dress up a bedcover and even pillow shams in a few simple, inexpensive steps.

Expensive Decorating Touches on the Cheap

Look for attractive fabric to embellish these items and attach it easily by sewing into place, using hem tape, adhering with fabric glue or using closures like snaps or Velcro. Placemats are perfect for this kind of project.

Find some beautiful print fabric placemats and sew them together end to end. Create a stripe down the middle, or stripes down each side of your duvet, bedspread or comforter. Next, attach placemats to your pillow shams, centered either directly in the middle or up and down the middle to create a stripe that corresponds with the bedcover.

If you are using two-ply placemats, you can easily make a matching throw pillow or two to go with your newly updated bedding set. Carefully rip one seam, stuff the center, making sure you stuff the corners well, and whipstitch the seam closed. It's best to have this seam as the bottom of the pillow or on a side, so the differences in stitching are not so noticeable.

Sheets work great too, and they are the perfect size. Cut a strip or two from a flat sheet, hem all sides, using a ¼ " to a ½ " hem, and sew into place. Use the remainder to decorate pillow shams or to trim the edges of the duvet cover or bedspread.

This idea looks especially nice if you purchase print sheets to dress your bed then purchase an extra set to embellish your comforter. It creates a pulled-together look, which is the mainstay of home decorating.

If you purchase an extra sheet set, you will also have extra pillowcases. Either buy two more pillows to cover with them, which will give your bed a fluffy, cozy feel, or use them to make simple throw pillows. Cut them in half, stuff them, close the seams and toss them on the bed.

Sheets also make great ready-to-hang curtains. Turn two flat twin sheets upside down. Open the edge of the hem at both sides and slip them onto the rod. If they are too long for your windows, either raise the curtain rod, make tiebacks, let them puddle or hem them.

Here's a fun idea: Attach velcro or snaps to your bedcover and pillow shams so you can easily change the look as different seasons or holidays approach.